This is probably a better true comparison photo. Take piece of paper from the top of your screen and run the straight edge between the axles of both photos and you can clearly see how much more is hanging below the axle height on the 1190

Yes there is, but allot of that has to do with the fact that the 990R has an inch more travel at both ends that the 1190R (which is annoying).

Just get the bike raised to original 950s height (265mm of travel, versus 245 for the last "R") or get crazy and get a set of SX forks (if the fork end is the same) or a set of the open catridges and swap the fork ends on them and combine that with either taking spacers out of the 1190 shock or getting a longer shock from the off-road line.

Yes there is, but allot of that has to do with the fact that the 990R has an inch more travel at both ends that the 1190R (which is annoying).

Just get the bike raised to original 950s height (265mm of travel, versus 245 for the last "R") or get crazy and get a set of SX forks (if the fork end is the same) or a set of the open catridges and swap the fork ends on them and combine that with either taking spacers out of the 1190 shock or getting a longer shock from the off-road line.

Resping and revalve and have a 300mm of travel...

I'm sure james would be able to put something together.

I was going for the closest "Apple to Apples" comparison possible. So an "R" to "R" comparison was appropriate.

Yes there is, but allot of that has to do with the fact that the 990R has an inch more travel at both ends that the 1190R (which is annoying).

Just get the bike raised to original 950s height (265mm of travel, versus 245 for the last "R") or get crazy and get a set of SX forks (if the fork end is the same) or a set of the open catridges and swap the fork ends on them and combine that with either taking spacers out of the 1190 shock or getting a longer shock from the off-road line.

Resping and revalve and have a 300mm of travel...

I'm sure james would be able to put something together.

Easier said than done! The 1190 R might have a new shock or different leverage ratio that allows it to use no spacers to achieve its R level travel. You might be able to raise the 1190 non-R to R specs, but that might be the limit. At least without major surgery (longer shock shaft and shock body?). And then you'd have to deal with the forks. Notice the non-R 1190 has the axle under the fork while the R has more conventional dirtbike style leading axle forks.

There might be solutions to get more travel and more clearance on the 1190 for those that want it, but it will not be as easy as it was with the 9X0.

Easier said than done! The 1190 R might have a new shock or different leverage ratio that allows it to use no spacers to achieve its R level travel. You might be able to raise the 1190 non-R to R specs, but that might be the limit. At least without major surgery (longer shock shaft and shock body?). And then you'd have to deal with the forks. Notice the non-R 1190 has the axle under the fork while the R has more conventional dirtbike style leading axle forks.

There might be solutions to get more travel and more clearance on the 1190 for those that want it, but it will not be as easy as it was with the 9X0.

That's allot of speculation on both our parts. Assuming they keep using the same fork's WP48's and the same shocks (I still don't know if it's a PDS or a link bike) ktm has historically had a pretty high amount of part interchange in suspension. I'm not sure they'd make there life harder with one allot off parts for the suspension on this bike considering how well they understand the wp48's at this point.

I was talking about literally throwing on ktm dirt bike parts and changing the fork lowers around and replacing the shock with one from a dirt bike.

Question About the 990R ride height.
Which model year because they've been everywhere through the years.
For instance the 2012 model is lower than 2011.
They almost changed height every year. Pretty hard to make a comparison.

That's allot of speculation on both our parts. Assuming they keep using the same fork's WP48's and the same shocks (I still don't know if it's a PDS or a link bike) ktm has historically had a pretty high amount of part interchange in suspension. I'm not sure they'd make there life harder with one allot off parts for the suspension on this bike considering how well they understand the wp48's at this point.

I was talking about literally throwing on ktm dirt bike parts and changing the fork lowers around and replacing the shock with one from a dirt bike.

Have you had one of the big bikes? The forks on the big bikes are *similar* to the dirtbike forks, but there are differences in axles, brake carriers, spacers, lengths of spring guides, lengths of damper rods, etc... The shocks are totally different animals between the big bike and dirtbike lines. The PDS system and general hydraulic theory is about all they have in common. There might be some interchangeability between the old 9X0 shocks and the 1190 shocks, but I doubt they have the same length shock bodies and shafts. As short as they made the travel on the 1190 it doesn't make sense that they would use a full length 9X0 S/R shock with internal spacers. The only way to use those shocks at full length to get less travel would be to change the leverage ratio. Maybe a 9X0 S/R/standard shock would swap in and raise the 1190. Somebody will try it!

Question About the 990R ride height.
Which model year because they've been everywhere through the years.
For instance the 2012 model is lower than 2011.
They almost changed height every year. Pretty hard to make a comparison.

Not really hard to make a comparison at all. The lowest R to the highest is only about 1.4" of difference.

-The styling is a combination of Adventure and Super Enduro. I like that the tank is high from a "styling" stand point that shows off a bit more frame, suspension and V twin. Should be pretty easy to take the windscreen off for a SE feel.

-They left it a single exhaust like may owners like, but its hanging out a bit too much and would get dinged up quick.

-150HP rush for on ramps. (although the way I load up my bike this is just going to be one long wheelie....um....or a really short one)

Have you had one of the big bikes? The forks on the big bikes are *similar* to the dirtbike forks, but there are differences in axles, brake carriers, spacers, lengths of spring guides, lengths of damper rods, etc...

As for the PDS sock I'm a little less sure about, you'd need to change the bottom shock mount for sure and the shock shaft. It looks like you'd need to reuse your upper shock body because of the res location... Or call ohlins and get one of their PDS shocks...